The Warehouse Theatre is long gone now.
The Fairfield Halls is about to close, reluctantly and with a touch of petulance.
There will be no Purley Festival in 2016.
The town centre cycle race has got on its bike and gone elsewhere.
Tiger Tiger’s closed it doors for a final time.
And before the tumbleweed starts rolling down the empty High Street of Croydon’s cultural desert, news comes in of another cancellation for this year, that of the Crystal Palace Overground Festival.
The organisers of the popular summer festival, which was established five years ago and in 2015 received a grant from the Lottery Heritage fund, issued a statement yesterday which explained that their event has outgrown its original home, Westow Park, and that they are working towards a 2017 festival which will be centred around activities in the larger, better-appointed Crystal Palace Park.
“Moving to Crystal Palace Park will involve a change of direction for the festival’s planning, organising and funding,” said Noreen Meehan, the festival director. “So we are taking a year out to make sure we allot enough time to take on the challenge and to secure the funds.”
Fundraising events are planned and Meehan promises “there will be a few surprises along the way for the whole community to enjoy”. The organisers also undertake that they “will continue to support the local groups that run some of the regular festival fringe events – such as the children’s sports event”.
They are seeking volunteers to get involved and help, and additional trustees are being recruited to enhance the skills and experience of the current festival board.
- To get involved email the festival team at info@crystalpalacefestival.org, or visit the website crystalpalacefestival.org
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